Occupational health hazards secondary to inhaled dust particles in cement industry

ABSTRACT

Data on respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function and x-ray chest were obtained for 130 exposed cement workers to evaluate and early detect the effect of exposure to dust among workers in Assiut Cement Factory. Dust samples were collected at different work places in the factory, measuring a mean SiO[2] concentration of 10.5 mg/m[3]- Cough, dyspnea and wheezes increased with age and time intensity factor. Assessment of the pulmonary function tests among the studied workers revealed that 10 percent had normal functions, 50.8 percent had restrictive, 20 percent had obstructive and 19.2 percent had combined obstructive and restrictive pulmonary dysfunction. X-ray chest revealed 11 silicotic patients comprising a prevalence of 8.5 percent. Silicosis was significantly related to time intensity factor